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U.S. Code as of:
01/19/04
Section 2005. Soil and water conservation program
(a) Program development
The Secretary is hereby authorized and directed to develop in
cooperation with and participation by the public through
conservation districts, State and national organizations and
agencies, and other appropriate means, a national soil and water
conservation program (hereinafter called the "program") to be used
as a guide in carrying out the activities of the Secretary which
assist landowners and land users, at their request, in furthering
soil and water conservation on the private and non-Federal lands of
the Nation. The program shall set forth direction for future soil
and water conservation efforts of the United States Department of
Agriculture based on the current soil, water, and related resource
appraisal developed in accordance with section 2004 of this title,
taking into consideration both the long- and short-term needs of
the Nation, the landowners, and the land users, and the roles and
responsibilities of Federal, State, and local governments in such
conservation efforts. The program shall also include but not be
limited to -
(1) analysis of the Nation's soil, water, and related resource
problems;
(2) analysis of existing Federal, State, and local government
authorities and adjustments needed;
(3) an evaluation of the effectiveness of the soil and water
conservation ongoing programs and the overall progress being
achieved by Federal, State, and local programs and the landowners
and land users in meeting the soil and water conservation
objectives of this chapter;
(4) identification and evaluation of alternative methods for
the conservation, protection, environmental improvement, and
enhancement of soil and water resources, in the context of
alternative time frames, and a recommendation of the preferred
alternatives and the extent to which they are being implemented;
(5) investigation and analysis of the practicability,
desirability, and feasibility of collecting organic waste
materials, including manure, crop and food wastes, industrial
organic waste, municipal sewage sludge, logging and
wood-manufacturing residues, and any other organic refuse,
composting, or similarly treating such materials, transporting
and placing such materials onto the land to improve soil tilth
and fertility. The analysis shall include the projected cost of
such collection, transportation, and placement in accordance with
sound locally approved soil and water conservation practices;
(6) analysis of the Federal and non-Federal inputs required to
implement the program;
(7) analysis of costs and benefits of alternative soil and
water conservation practices; and
(8) investigation and analysis of alternative irrigation
techniques regarding their costs, benefits, and impact on soil
and water conservation, crop production, and environmental
factors.
(b) Completion dates
The initial program shall be completed not later than December
31, 1979, and program updates shall be completed by December 31,
1987, December 31, 1997, and December 31, 2007, respectively.
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